In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Eric Saylor - a Professor of Music History at Drake University, the He is the author of English Pastoral Music: From Arcadia to Utopia, 1900–1955. His articles and reviews have been published in the Journal of the Royal Musical Association, The Musical Quarterly, The Musical Times, Musik-Konzepte, The Journal of Musicological Research, Music and Letters, the Journal of the Society for Musicology in Ireland, and Nineteenth-Century Music Review. Dr. Saylor is also the author of the Vaughan Williams entry in Oxford Bibliographies Online, contributed a chapter on Vaughan Williams's dramatic works to the Cambridge Companion to Ralph Vaughan Williams, and was a contributor to the second edition of the New Grove Dictionary of American Music. He just recently completed a Life and Works biography of Vaughan Willams for Oxford University Press’s Master Musician.

Today’s podcast is entitled: RVW 150. This year, 2022, is the 150th anniversary of the birth of renowned English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. To mark this occasion, Opus One will present a monumental concert on Sun, May 22 (4pm) at St John Baptist de la Salle church in Shillington, PA, entitled “A Celebration of Vaughan Williams”. The highlight of the concert will be the American premiere of "The Garden of Proserpine", a rediscovered work composed in 1899, scored for solo soprano, chorus, and a 40 piece orchestra. Other programmed works include: 6 Choral Songs to be Sung in Time of War, 5 Mystical Songs, The Voice out of the Whirlwind, and several familiar hymn tunes. For this performance, Opus One will be joined by CW's Choraliers, under the direction of Sarah McGrory, and Gov. Mifflin's Governors, under the direction of Greg Hill. Maggie Riker will serve as the soprano soloist for Garden of Proserpine and your’s truly will sing the baritone solos in 5 Mystical Songs, conducted by Peter Sunderman. Tickets for the in-person event may be purchased at the door.

The concert will also be available to stream online from May 26 through June 12. Please visit our website for more information - www.OpusOneChamberChoir.com

Host: Christopher Hoster

Featured Music:

En Bateau from 'Petite Suite' by Debussy (OCTAVO's theme)

*Played by Geert Ruelens and Diana Cook

Selections from A Celebration of Vaughan Williams (upcoming concert)

For more information about Opus One: Berks Chamber Choir, visit: